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Bengal

Baluchari to make a comeback this festive season

Baluchari, the hand woven saris from West Bengal is likely to become the hot favourite during the Durga Puja both in the country and abroad. The West Bengal Handicrafts Development Corporation opened its first genre specific online store balucharisaree.in on June 14. 

Kaushik Moulik, who developed the concept, said in the past 10 days, 35 saris have been sold to the buyers in England, Mumbai and Chennai apart from the city ones. There are queries from USA and Dubai. The buyers have to pay the money in advance and then it is sent to them.

Bengali women buy saris that are famous in other states like Kanjivaram or Kota but seldom buy saris that are famous in West Bengal. The portal has helped them to know more about the Baluchari saris.

The buyers can get in touch with the weavers directly and place their design. The custom-made saris will be delivered to them and they can watch in video how their saris are being made. The hand woven saris have tremendous potential and their market is ever expanding, Moulik said.

The baluchari sari which was first made by the weavers from Baluchar village in Murshidabad had received patronage from Nawab Alivardi Khan around 300 years ago. The village was badly hit by flood and the weavers moved to Bishnupur in Bankura district. The sari combines Mughal art with Hindu mythology. It may be recalled that after coming to power in 2011, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had laid special emphasis on the revival of old heritage and art form of Bengal. The weavers making Baluchari and Muslin saris were given support.

The mask artisans of North Bengal were also given financial assistance and the steps helped revive the near extinct art forms. Mamata Banerjee has also said their produce will be showcased at Biswa Bangla stores.

Moulik said in addition to saris, baluchari shirts, Punjabis, hand bags, jewellery, jackets and ties will be on the App soon. The hand woven shirts and Punjabis or kurtas look brilliant and are likely to have a steady market, he hoped. Work is on to popularise jute products and tea and their on line store will hit the market soon.
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